There are numerous reasons that colleges should help veterans, but they can all be summed up in one: itÆs the right thing to do. Freedom is something that must be contended for. Whenever it is threatened, that threat must be struck down. Freedom has to be perpetually defended, or it will be taken away by whoever is willing to fight harder and longer for it. Everyone in America can enjoy the blessings of the freedoms that belong to us, yet not everyone has had to serve in the armed forces to benefit from those freedoms. Those who have served have served for(and in place of(each of us.
Veterans risked their limbs, their health, their psychological well-being, and their very lives to defend the freedoms we cherish so dearly. In many cases, veterans risked or lost important relationships because of their service, coming home to girlfriends who had married someone else or families that had lost a member in death during their tour of duty. Most veterans postponed their education, their marriage, and their business success to serve.
Often, after returning from a tour of duty, servicemen and women find that in fighting for their country they have lost a great deal on the home front. Youthful innocence is gone, having been destroyed by the grim realities of war. And many come home to find that theyÆve lost their place, so to speak, in their lives. While others were on the traditional path to college, then marriage, and finally in business, veterans come home to find that they do not fit in any of those categories. To allow veterans to give up so much without providing equitable compensation and the opportunity to enjoy the very benefits that they have fought so hard for demonstrates profound ingratitude.
Universities can help veterans in a number of ways. The primary benefit they can offer is free tuition, but there is additional support that should be included. Since veterans generally live of
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